Alien Registration and Other Formalities
1. Alien Registration
Under the Alien Registration Law, all foreigners living in Japan must
register at the local government office in the area in which they
reside.
(1) At the time of admission to the university
Students who are going to live in Nara must complete registration at
the Alien Registration Section of the Citizens' Affairs department,
Nara city, within 90 days of their arrival in Japan. At the
window,they will be asked to present their passport and two photos
(4cm by 3cm in size).
When the registration is completed, they will be given a Certificate
of Alien Registration. They are required to carry this certificate
wherever they go. At the same time, they must apply for a Certificate
of the Completion of Alien Registration, which they have to submit to
their university office at the time of registration in the university.
(2) While in the university
Any change in the entries on the Certificate of Alien Registration
(e.g. Address) must be reported to the city government office within
14 days.
The certificate of Alien Registration is valid for five years. When
students stay in Japan over five years, they must renew the
registration at least 30 days before it expires, taking their passport
and two photos (4cm by 3cm in size) to the city government office.
2. Extension of Period Stay
Foreign students are permitted to stay in Japan for one year. If they
have to stay in Japan over one year, they must apply for an extension
each year.
The formalities necessary for an extension of stay must be completed
at the Immigration Office (the branch office) within a month before
the authorized period of stay expires. In applying for an extension of
stay, students will be asked to prepare the following:
- Application for Extension of Period of Stay (the form is provided
by the Immigration office(the branch office))
- Statement of Reasons for Extension of Stay
- School Certificate(issued by the irrespective faculty offices, etc.)
- School Transcript (issued by their faculty offices, etc.)
- Documents proving the applicant's ability to bear all the expenses
necessary during their stay in Japan (only private-expense foreign
students)
- Letter that explains what to do after graduation or completion.
(Foreign students themselves have to write in Japanese)
- Letter of grantee issued by a grantor living in Japan (For
Japanese Government Scholarship students, the Certificate of
guarantee)
- A document that certifies the ability to serve as student's
guarantor. (for private - expense foreign students)
- passport
- Certificate of Alien Registration
- Handling fee
3. Temporary Leave and Re- entry
If students wish to leave Japan for a short period,they have to obtain
the permission of their academic advisors. They also have to report to
the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division, and then
visit the Immigration Office (the branch office) and obtain a re-entry
permit before they leave Japan. Without this permit, they may not be
able to return to Japan on schedule because of the formalities they
will have to follow to obtain permission of re - entry. This normally
takes one month or more.
Students are also strongly advised to return to Japan within the
period of re-entry specified in the permit; otherwise,they will have
to make a new application for entry to Japan. This can prove quite
burdensome.
4. Change of Status
Students are normally given a visa with student status. If they are
admitted under different status temporarily, they must consult with
the clerks in the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student
Division and then visit the Immigration Office (the branch office) and
proceed for change of status.
5. Activities Other Than Those Permitted under the Student Status
Students are permitted to enter Japan for the purpose of study and
research. Under Immigration Control and Refugee - Recognition Act,
they are only authorized to engage i n activities related to this
purpose.
If they wish to work part- time because of unavoidable conditions
while they are in student activities, they must be permitted under the
student status in advance. Even if they work part time with permission
under the student status, they should work without impeding their own
study or research.
For details, they must consult with the clerks in the Student Welfare
Section in the Student Welfare Division or the clerks in the Foreign
Student Service Section in the Student Division.
6. About the Nara Branch Office of the Osaka Regional Immigration
Bureau
4-1, Higashikideracho 3-chome Nara city
Nara Dai 2 Homu Sogo Chosha
Tel. 0742 - 23 - 6501
Fax. 0742 - 23 - 6602
Services
- Permission to acquire or change status of residence
- Extension of period of stay
- Re-entry permits
- Consultation regarding residence procedures
Business Hours
- Monday through Friday,9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location